ABC Settles 'Pink Slime' Defamation Lawsuit

A massively significant case dating back to a 2012 ABC reports about a meat product has been settled after the company that produced it, Beef Products Inc., sued the network in a multibillion-dollar defamation case.\, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  The product, described by its producer as "lean finely textured beef," was described by ABC as "pink slime" several hundred times.

In a statement Wednesday morning, ABC said:

"ABC has reached an amicable resolution of its dispute with the makers of 'lean finely textured beef.' Throughout this case, we have maintained that our reports accurately presented the facts and views of knowledgeable people about this product. Although we have concluded that continued litigation of this case is not in the Company’s interests, we remain committed to the vigorous pursuit of truth and the consumer’s right to know about the products they purchase.”

The trial began on June 5, and the case was seen as having large potential ramifications for the media industry and for ABC.

Dakota Dunes-based Beef Products Inc. sued the television network in 2012, saying ABC’s coverage misled consumers into believing the product is unsafe and led to the closure of three plants and layoffs of roughly 700 workers, reports The Associated Press.

After the reports aired, some grocery store chains said they would stop carrying ground beef that contained the product. BPI claims sales declined from about 5 million pounds (23 million kilograms) per week to less than 2 million pounds (907,000 kilograms) per week.